**Department of Communities and Justice**
**Project Officer - Clerk Grade 7/8 (Identified)**
**Temporary full time**
**Location: Westmead**
**About us**
NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is the largest Child Protection agency in NSW. We deliver vital programs and services designed to help vulnerable children, young people and their families.
Our vision is to empower all people to live fulfilling lives and achieve their potential in inclusive communities. We collaborate with government, non-government and community partners to work with children, adults, families and communities to improve lives and realise potential, with a focus on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage.
**About the KEYS Network**
The KEYs program is an initiative which has been developed by the Service Delivery Reform Group in Western Sydney, seeking to provide a more comprehensive and systemic approach to families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage (with at least one child aged 5 or under) in the area, by removing organisational barriers to deliver care that is value based, evidence based and person-centred.
**About the role**
KEYS Navigators will work within a multiagency team, to provide information and assistance to service providers that identify families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage. Navigators work alongside service providers to support access and co-ordination of quality services between agencies to families, and ensure there is a coordinated shared family plan for ongoing support to families.
KEYS Navigators coordinate with service providers a?bespoke?package of services aimed at meeting the current and future needs of each family. The role will assist in empowering the existing system to deliver culturally appropriate, integrated and wrap around services to vulnerable families in Western Sydney.
To be successful in this role you will have strong communication skills, an ability to establish and maintain relationships with government and non-government agencies, and an excellent understanding of current service system in particular, Aboriginal Services in Western Sydney, for families with children aged 0 to 5 years.
The primary responsibilities will include:
- Provide a central point of contact for the screening and assessment of families, referred to the service, in accessing and coordinating service provision.
- Work collaboratively with other KEYS navigators to obtain organisational information regarding clients referred to the program, to better understand family needs, current service delivery and any service gaps/unmet needs.
- Provide information and support to referrers and "family advocates" regarding the KEYS framework, including identification of family needs, accessing of appropriate service providers, and the development of a shared coordinated family plan.
- Develop strong partnership with key service providers including Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Stakeholders, to understand available services, develop effective referral pathways and negotiate services which best meet family needs. This may include advocacy regarding access and service delivery.
- Identify options for brokering external service provision where supports are not available within the current service system in line with agreed processes.
- To work with agencies to adapt plans and service delivery to meet the changing needs of families, and in response to acute life events/crisis.
- Ongoingly monitor families referred to the program to ensure that families are receiving services in line with agreed family plan. This includes monitoring and reviewing family and individual outcomes
- Participate in KEYS Network Program meetings, and assist in the implementation, design, improvement and ongoing delivery of the service
**What we offer**
- Attractive salary ($99,431 - $110,064) plus super and leave loading.
- Regular supervision, professional support and training, and an opportunity to learn new skills and demonstrate your leadership potential.
- Flexible working conditions - we are family friendly and understand the demands of working parents and carers.
- Excellent career opportunities - a chance to build your experience in a rural setting with the right mix of responsibility and autonomy.
**Essential Requirements**
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Tertiary qualifications in a related discipline and/or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Experience navigating the social and health service system.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with and understand issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Proven ability to liaise, negotiate and build relationships with a range of stakeholders, and work collaboratively within and across teams.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated capacity to manage conflict and difference.
- Ability to wo
📌 Project Officer
🏢 NSW Government -Northern CPPYJ
📍 Sydney